The Bryn Mawr College Mineral Collections

The
Bryn Mawr College Geology Department has one of the finest collections in the
USA of minerals from Pennsylvania and around the world. The Collections have
been used for study, research and display for over 100 years.

About the Collections
(Click on photos for identification, locality, and larger view.)

The Department's founder, Florence Bascom,
established the initial collection of rocks, minerals, and fossils for use in
the classroom and for exhibit. Her personal label and/or Department labels in her
hand may be found on old specimens in the early College Collections

Click on photos for
full-size image

Photo
credits: "Rock" Currier.

In
1903, Theodore Rand, a Philadelphia lawyer who lived in Radnor, left the
College his large collection of minerals. This collection was merged with the
College collection in the 1940's to bring the total number of specimens up to
about 9500.

Photo
credits: "Rock" Currier.

In
1958, the family of George Vaux, Jr. gave his collection of over 8000 specimens
to the College. The Vaux Collection includes specimens collected from the late
1800's through 1930, and specimens collected from old localities, many of which
are no longer accessible. They include minerals from around the world and a
fine collection from Pennsylvania localities.

Photo
credits: "Rock" Currier.

Several
recent donations from local collectors have strengthened the holdings further.
As of the year 2000, more than 25,000 minerals have been donated to Bryn Mawr
College.

Viewing the Collections

There
are 1500 minerals on exhibit in 28 hall cases in the Park Science Center.
Dorothy Wyckoff, Professor of Geology from 1930-1966, arranged several hall cases
of large specimens from the College Collection, as well as teaching exhibits
in the Introductory, Mineralogy, and Paleontology laboratories. Harold W.
Arndt, Associate Curator from 1958 - 1989, selected many of the finest
minerals from the Vaux Collection for display in hall cases along the first
and second floors of the Physics and Math wings of the Park Science Center.
In addition, a display of fluorescent minerals (many from the Franklin Mine
in New Jersey) is housed in a special dark room.

The
Bryn Mawr College Geology Department welcomes visitors to the Mineral
Collections. The hall cases are accessible to individual visitors weekdays during
the academic year. Large groups may arrange visits or guided tours by
contacting Maria Luisa Crawford, Curator. Researchers wishing to access the
Collections for study should contact the curator.